The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1887-10-08
NETTIE's LOVERS.
A Woman's Wise Choice Be-
tween a Man and a Villain.

OW00n q NlttA ttIlo q v lAllus
Something allied Nettie Wilder. Her
mother, who gave to this only child all
nor maternal love, knew something of
the cause of change, and her thinking
hours were often as pcrplexed and
4roubled as Ncttie's.
For there was Frank Mitchell, on the
one hand, the son of the richest man
in Coverdale; college educated, hand
somely attired, smooth of tongue and
courteous in manner. And there was
Harry Lane, on the other hand, stall
wart, young farmer of twenty-five,
who owned wel]-conducted farm. was
as honest and true man as the wide
world could produce, and fully his own
master. And both were counting pref
ty Nettie Wilder.
And poor little Ncttie was growing
grave and womanly, thinking of the
choice she should make. For, If Harry
had been her boy-lover all her life,
Frank possessed the charm of novelty,
and would take her from the drudgcry
of farm life.
Yet, there was something about
Frank Mitchell that Nettie distrusted.
She could not define it, and none of the
whispers that "Mitchell's son was q
little Wild had ever reached her; yet
she was conscious of certain shrink
ing from his most tender speeches
She was bordering over all this one
pleasant October afternoon; and as q
shadow crossed the window, she looked
up to see Harry Lane carrying large
covered basket.
1--WE are gathering the pippins,' he
said, coming to the window sill, land
/ brought over basket for your
mother"
Mrs. Wilder, from the inner part of
the room, advanced to speak some
words of thanks, adding:
Don't you want to take some to
your grandfather, Ncttiep Harry can
60 to the crossroads with you"
Half reluctantly Nettic put on her
hat and sack, and selected some of tho
finer pippins for smaller basket
With o nod and smile Nettie left
Harry at the crossroads, (where he
promised to meet her at five o'clock,
to cross the lot, that saved nearly half
mile of the distance to her grand
fathers On entering the kitchen, she
frightened Katie, the old servant, by
the ashy pallor of her face, and the
strange tremor of her voice, as she
said, sharply:
where is grandfather"
''He's not come in from town yet, ="
was the reply. "Whatever's como to
you, Miss NettieP Are you going to
faint?'
mo l am tired. / must watch for
grandfather, or he may drive past.
Then sM ran across the garden to
the gate, for there was sound OF
wheels on the road. Her grandfather
checked his horse as she. opened the
gate, to say to her:
"Jump in. I'm going over to Mitch
ellis"
''You must come in first, she said.
81 must speak to you, grandfather. 1t
is important
Her pale, agitated face and her
earnestness half frightened the old
man, and he tied the horse and fol-
lowed her into the house.
what is it, dearP' he asked. "Be
as quick as you can, for want to get
home before dark, and it's good
''Grandfather, have you money for
himp"
Yes; all the quarterly rents. Folks
NIL paid up to-day"
"You must not take it over. grand
father. There are three men over in
Higgins old barn waiting to rob you.
''Nonsense!'
at is not nonsense, grandfather.
came across lots with Harry, but when
1 passed Higgins place saw some Of
those great yellow pears hanging ovel
the barn, and went to get them. When
was up in the tree / saw and heard
the men. They are in the barn, and
they know you have been collecting the
rents. They mean to stop you and take
the money. And, oh, grandfather, il
you don't go on they will come oven
here to rob you. So you must let me
do what have planned. Let me take
the money on, and you stay hero. II
they stop me, will tell them you have
sens the money to Mr.. Mitchell.
'You can say met MitchelFs man,
Wilson, in town, if you choose. l Of
ten send 1t out by him. but met him
to-day before il was paid. But. Net,
tie, can't let you run into danger"
There will be no danger to me
They will never think have the mon
sy.'
~But they may look TO sec"
For answer Nettie took down col
Of superb brown hair, that had beer
neatly twisted up under her hat
Shaking it out, she said:
''0ive me the notes, grandfather.
He took large roll from his wallet
and looked on in mute admiration
while Nettie twisted it into her hair
pinning and patting the large coil unit
+ was in order, and finally perchiAt
Ne dainty hat over all.
Don't worry about me-" she said
kissing the old man tenderly. Then
sDtsr moments hesitation, she said
vsxy. very gravely:
~GrAndfsther, you will keep secret
III tell you one"
'|yss dear"
'1h0, Wilde you are grateful tina
yeu ara not exposed to robbery. ana
porhsps murder. thank Heaven. too
~ my escape. One Of those men
JFaak NitAAsA. F"
r - ~ snd vas goas bstav